Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of intravenous hydration on the duration of active labor in nulliparous women also allowed unrestricted oral consumption of fluids. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial 120 nulliparous women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at term were randomly assigned to drink fluids at will and receive either no intravenous hydration (group 1) or a Ringer lactate solution at rates of 60 mL, 120 mL, or 240 mL per hour (groups 2-4) throughout active labor. Results: There were differences in duration for the active phase of the first stage of labor (252.3 +/- 40.9 min in group 1 vs 206.7 +/- 38.3 min in group 4; P<0.001) and for the second stage (64.3 +/- 13.9 in group 1 vs 49.8 +/- 11.4 min in group 4; P=0.01), but not for the third stage. The percentage of participants who needed labor augmentation with oxytocin was less when intravenous hydration was provided (53.3 in group 1 vs 20.0 in group 4; P=0.02). Conclusion: Intravenous hydration significantly decreased the duration of active labor and reduced the frequency of both prolonged labor and oxytocin administration in nulliparous women. htpp://www.irct.ir registration number: IRCT201105256575N2 (C) 2012 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.